Thursday, October 9, 2008

Stop Confusion

A few years ago, I went to my husband and said, “I want to get my book published.” I was happy and he said, "Great do it." I called a few companies and I was impressed with the superior package they offered. When they start talking about the fee it was as if all confusion set in. I went back to tell my husband hoping he could give me clarity. He told me my issue was I was leaping too far; I had to crawl before I walked and I became upset. I only wanted what I wanted, even though I was confused along the way.

This scenario brings to mind the story of the “Tower of Babel”. They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

“But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other," (Gen 11:3-7).

No matter how high a person thinks they are your elevation never supersedes the Lord. God came down to see the tower they were building. When He came down he brought confusion with Him so they could not complete their task.

When I was talking to the publishing company about publishing my book several years ago confusion came about. The guy laid out a quote and because I could only see that superior package being the way to go, I was put down in my steps. It was not meant for me to go such route and confusion came about.

When the men built a tower God interrupted their plan. Have you had any of your plans interrupted by God? Does it seem as if when you feel like your getting closer you tumble further back? These men that were building a tower were only thinking of making a name for them self. Their blue print was not in line with Gods’ blue print.

What does your blue print say? Is your outline in line with the will of God is it self-determining of God?

Consider humbling yourself and let God take control. Ask God what is your purpose here on earth. Pray to God to forgive you for being arrogant, and pushing His will aside. Call upon the Lord to use you. Ask him to help you focus on elevating Him, using His blue print and not yours. It is when we submit to His will then we can complete the task we were designed for.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Aspire More of God

The other day my son was so excited, he said in a bubbly manner, “I am going to go to the same college Daddy went to and work at the same place Daddy works when I get older.” I responded cheerfully saying,” You really love your Dad.”

His actions made me think of when I used to hear this older woman pray in church. As she prayed I would get chill bumps. I recalled telling her, “I want to grow up and pray just like you.” She would jubilantly say “bless you my child.” Each time she prayed I had a warm feeling inside. Some people look at others and aspire to be like them in an unhealthy manner but there are some cases a person can wish to be as another in a healthy manner.

When Paul desired to visit Rome, he wanted to see the people because of their great faith. Paul wanted to be encouraged and he knew if he could just be in their presence he would be strengthened. “For I am longing to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong,” (Rom 1:11).

Paul desired more of God. Paul desired for the people to impart some spiritual gift to him. He wanted them to share with liberality their gift to help strengthen him in the Lord.

Maybe you have heard a person pray and said, “I wish I could pray just like that person.” Perhaps you have heard someone preach and said, “I wish I could preach just like that person.” If you have, your appetite is increasing for more of God. God brings himself to us through the lives and talents of others.

I imagine that my husband is being used to mold my sons' view about being a man of God. He sees his father on Sundays worshiping the Lord. My son sees him providing for his family, he has seen his father’s degrees from college. I envision when he looks at his father he sees his strengths and says, “What a strong man, I too want to be like him.” As my son is growing impartation is taking place.

Who are you striving to be like? Are you looking to be as Jesus? When you hear someone speak in a negative manner do you wish to speak as them? As you look at TV do you aspire to be as those that decrease or uplift the name of the Father?

Perhaps God is using someone in your life today to grow you. As God brings people in your life it is not to belittle you and make you feel less of a Christian; yet, it is to increase your desire of God. The Lord desires to strengthen you. He will send one who is stronger to help build you stronger in the Lord. As this takes place the Lord’s life is being increased.

Allow God to be multiplied, as you look at others ask God what strength I can impart from them. Instead of considering envy, reflect on growing closer to the Lord. Pray to God that you are humbled so you may see the true essence of your growth in the Lord. Ask God to help you display strengths so you may help build the glory of the Lord.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Serve God, Serving Them

A woman puts the children to sleep, has made her self ready for bed and gathered all her bible study material to study for the night. In walks her husband, whom had a bad day and begins to talk to her; never noticing what she was initially doing.

A man takes the day off to spend it with his family. As the day starts his phone is like a non stop alarm sounding off. His co-workers call him over and over to seek his council to orderly follow procedures for an accident that has occurred at his job.

Both people have responsibilities in both spheres. For the woman she must choose between studying the bible and being a help meet to her husband. The husband has to choose between spending the day with his family and spending the day making sure he keeps his job thus providing adequate food, clothing, and shelter for his family.

Serving God and family is not an easy task. It is interesting that people so often forget how one can feel as if they are playing tug-a-war by attempting to process who do I serve first.

A husband has concerns of the world. His concern is – how he can please his wife, leaving his interest divided… (1 Cor 7:33-34).

A husband has the responsibility of providing the needs for the family. He must have a job to properly ensure sufficient food, clothing, and shelter for the family. Additionally, he must please his wife, by spending time with her and encouraging her to keep her happy and fulfilled. Concurrently, he must be a role model and father to his children. Does this further drain his time and energy he must deliver serving our heavenly Father?

Likewise for the wife, her concern is – how can she please her husband, leaving her interest divided… (1Cor 7:34c).

The responsibility of a wife can pull her away from kingdom work. Today women are asked to work not only at the house but out side the house to help pay for bills. She still has to please her husband, by listening to him when he needs an ear, uplifting him when he feels low; making sure he is happy and fulfilled. Parallel to that she must be a supervisor of the condition of the house, caregiver, prepare meals, teacher, full time mother and role model to the children. Does this further drain her time and energy she must deliver serving our heavenly Father?

A married couple can still serve the Lord. Have you felt that you can’t serve God because you don’t have time to study the bible? Do you think you can’t serve God because you have to go to work on the Sabbath? God knows your condition. He is aware that both husband and wife will have divided loyalties.

Do not consume yourself by taking score of “how many things you can do to serve God over another person”. Allow God to show you His order of your family. Pray to God that you seek Him when you feel overwhelmed with what to do. Ask the Lord to order your steps and you follow His steps so you may serve Him diligently. It is when we serve our family we are serving God.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Keep Your Promise

While I was pregnant I met with a person to help make arrangements to help tend to some of the things I would not be able to tend to after my surgery. After I came home from the hospital, I contacted the person so we could agree on a day for the help to start. This person said, “Okay.”

A couple of days later, I got a disturbing phone call that were false allegations. As a result, all those that were supposed to help never were able to because a lie was told.

I was very hurt. I knew it was an attack, I prayed to God because I knew I was in no condition to tend to those obligations that my help would have tended to. I also prayed to God to help me stay focus on Him. I knew I could loose it all based on one person that lied.

This situation reminds me of the story of Ananias and Sapphira. The people of Jerusalem were facing a hard time. The people prayed and all those that had wealth committed to help those that were in need.

“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need,”(Acts 4:33-37).

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God," (Acts 5:1-5).

Like the people of Jerusalem, I was in need of help not only physically but spiritually. I was in pain trying to do what this person committed to do.

Today, many people lie with the intent to glorify themselves. Ananias and Sapphira’s problem was they promised to give some money to help meet the needs of those that needed help. It was a bad time for them. As a result, the people needs were not met and they suffered. Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead for such lie.

God does not deal lightly to those that lie and cause others to suffer. It is not for us to “bear false witness against our neighbor,” (Ex 20:16). When God blesses one He intends for that person to share their blessing with another.

Have you ever had someone lie to you? Have you ever suffered because someone lied to you? How do you respond when someone lies to you? Do you consider taking what they promised or do you pray to the Lord? Do you consider revenge or do you pray to God?No matter what situation you encounter you must keep our eyes on the Lord.

Allow God to be your center focus. Pray to God to provide for those things that you may lack. Call upon the Lord to help you keep your mind right, so you might not loose it all. Ask God to help you have a forgiving heart to those whose actions have caused you to suffer. For as what one meant as evil against you, God meant it for good, “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20).

Friday, October 3, 2008

He Is Glorious

The other day I was thinking of when I went to the Grand Canyon. My first thought was look at this huge rock. When I looked at it the other day it was more than a huge rock.It was a piece of art, each indention from the highest peak to the lowest was strategically patterned with some of the most flawless colors. As the sun hit the canyon each area was illuminated.

This is one of the most inspiring, powerful landscapes. The site of it overwhelms ones senses. Its river flows 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep. It is a magnificent piece of work that only could have been created by a brilliant creator. It only gives a glimpse of how splendor our heavenly Father is.

The New Testament tells us how glorious our heavenly Father is. “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb,” (Rev 21:24).

God is light all by him self. When we get to heaven there will be no need to worry about paying your electricity bill, because just as God created a mother to naturally have milk for a baby, He provides light for us.

God deserves to be glorified for all about Him, through Him and to Him is superb.

Many are facing various troubles in the world today. Maybe you know someone who has lost their job, lost a loved one. Perhaps you are battling to keep your home each person has a story but it does not refute the glory of our Father. We have access to His glory. When you feel like you need to escape, escape in the Lord. When your troubles seem to be gaining weight upon you, praise God to the highest.

Folgers has nothing on starting your day with being in the presence of the Lord. Consider starting each day by asking the Lord, how can I represent you today? Pray to God that you are consumed with His presence. Ask the Lord to take each storm that comes your way. Call upon His name to fill you with His glory. For when the hour comes it is most vital that we are able to say, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do,” (John 17:4).

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Stop Disrespecting

After I had my second child, I felt God called me to write for the building of the kingdom. I had no training as of how to write from a biblical stand point; as a result, I felt it wasn’t for me. I believed I never had time to write and my life was controlled by everything my children needed of me. In addition, I didn’t think I knew enough to write anything about God. To answer the call of writing for Him was not the most simple task.

Young Isaiah had as difficult time answering the call of the Lord. It took an act of God to change Isaiah’s mind and direction (Isaiah 6:6-8), for he made many excuses. As Isaiah made excuses, all along he was disrespecting God.

When I found it difficult to write and made excuses as of why I couldn’t write, I was disrespecting the Lord.

Isaiah saw the Lord and all His glory. “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke,” (Isaiah 6:4). Gods’ glory made the door shake. The house filled with smoke by His splendor.

Isaiah said he was not worthy for he was unclean. He said his eyes had seen the king and now that he had seen all His glory he could not be compared to God. He believed because he was so flawed that he couldn’t commit to his calling. But after the holy angel touched him, Isaiah was cleaned, “your iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged,” (Isaiah 6:7).

It was then, Isaiah heard from voice of the Lord and Isaiah replied, “Here I am Lord, send me,” (Isaiah 6:8).

Many of us rebel against the Lord and wonder, “when will I get my chance.” However, those that rebel fail to see that they are disrespecting God.

Are you disrespecting the Lord today? Maybe you rebel because you don’t feel worthy. Perhaps you can’t register your extent of disrespect, so you keep saying ‘No’ to the Lord.

Don’t allow your sense of undeserving to disrespect the Lord. Allow the Lord to cleanse you of your iniquity. Call upon the Lord to purge you of your sin, so you may hear His voice. Pray to God that you stop making excuses. Pray that you become worthy in the sight of the Lord so you can say, Here I am Lord, send me. For, “once you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, but now Jesus has reconciled,” (Col 1:21-22).

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Glorify Thy Name

I recently had surgery and my body ached. While I was healing I was still determined to write.

Before Jesus died he said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour,” John 12:27.

Like Jesus, I had become troubled. It seemed as if every aspect of my body was in pain. It hurt for me to sit up straight, to lay on my back hurt and standing up was even more painful. All I wanted was for my pain to go away. In the midst of my pain, I still felt lead to write.

Have you ever been so troubled that you plead for safety? Have ever said God take all my pain away, make all my burdens cease, take me out of this mess? Even though Jesus was troubled He said to God, I don’t want to be going through this, yet it is my purpose, so let your will be done and “glorify thy name”, John 12:28.

It is easy to say God glorify your name when you have food to eat. It is easy to praise God when no bill collectors are calling. God is looking at us in our time of trouble. He is looking to see, if when He asks you to do something will your focus be your condition or will you focus on glorifying His name.

What is your true purpose? If you come short on your house note, if the person you thought was going to be you mate walks out on you, will you still say God let your will be done and glorify thy name. If it hurts for you to walk or stand up straight will you say, God it is my purpose, let your will be done and “glorify thy name."

We all will be tested. God looks at a person’s heart and our actions display our purpose for His calling. Allow God to be your focal point. When it seems your troubles are too heavy give them over to the Lord. Pray to God that He uses you, even though your pain is increasing. Ask God to let His purpose be done, even when your day is not going the way you want. For, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small,” (Prov 24:10).